Disclaimer: Sadly enough, I don't own anything. This is written for pure enjoyment only and no profit to be gained!

CHAPTER: 27

It's always been a fantasy, a desperate, longing hope that Bobby would come to her. That he would need her and vise versa, but now it was reality.

He's truly confiding in me, talking to me…and not turning away.

He cried as did she for a little over a half hour. They fought for positioning, trying to get the best advantage point as possible to become as close to the other one as two people could be. They buried their heads, they bunched their fists into each others backs and held onto each other; both afraid of being the one to let go first.

Alex was the first to speak.

"What can I do for you, Bobby? How can I help?"

"Stay…Just stay with me. Stay with me here tonight, in my bed with me like…like last night."

"Did you honestly think I was going to pack up and leave today?" A smile smiled escaped her lips. "We're finally getting somewhere—"

"I just…I didn't know if you were going to go back to…back to the couch or…"

"Not a chance, Bobby. Not after sleeping with you last night." She smiled and when she finally pulled back from him, she saw that he was smiling as well. "Like you said early into our partnership, diamonds don't keep you warm at night."

And boy did he prove that to me last night.

And his smile grew wider, because she had remembered their little conversation from years ago. Men come and go…but diamonds… Alex said, and he remembered, word for word how he replied back to her: Diamonds don't keep you warm at night.

"It was…it was nice to have someone in bed with me…someone I actually care about by my side." He looked into her eyes. "It felt like a dream."

"Same for me, Bobby. More than you'll ever know."

Bobby had always been such a gentleman…never getting too close to Alex. He'd never allow himself to touch her more than necessary for the thought that he might make her feel awkward and uncomfortable. He never knew she felt the same way towards him as he did about her. Undercover was the only exception to this rule and it was usually her doing the touching. He was deathly afraid of playing the role like Alex did. He was afraid if he tried to link arms with her, or pull her into a hug outside of work, that she'd instinctively freeze and then stiffen up.

Alex was always close to him. Not just physically, but in his heart as well…but never too close. It was always so profession with Bobby…and yet it was so unprofessional at the same time. It killed Bobby to be honest. He wanted to, but was so afraid to even hug her for the possibility that she may not want it nor need it. He recalls wanting to wrap his arms around her many times; one being when a suspect tried to do the infamous suicide by cop routine. The suspect had taken a starter's pistol out from his coat pocket, fumbled with it and ultimately dropped it before Alex had fired a shot off. He wanted to hug her so badly just then, but instead he allowed himself only a slight touch on her arm to let her know that he was there with her and that everything would be alright. Every now and then, he'd touch her on the arm softly, but not long enough for it to take effect on her…or on him for that matter. Not nearly long enough for her to know his secret. That he loved her. He was determined to keep it a secret from her forever. But now, now all that didn't matter, and by some grace of god, he survived it.

They survived it together.

"I love you, Alex."

"Love you too, Bobby."

It was a little passed noon and Bobby remembered the breakfast Alex had cooked for them. He was determined not to spoil this meal she cooked, so he stood off the couch surprisingly sturdy-like and reached down with one hand to help Alex up.

"Breakfast?" He asked as he pulled her up with little effort.

"It'll be cold by now…and it's not really breakfast time anymore."

"That's why they invented microwaves." He gave her a mischievous grin and god did it make him look ten years younger. "And who cares what time it is." Alex rolled her eyes and watched as he quickly turned off the TV.

They ate in silence mainly, but it was a pleasant silence in which they both were thankful for. They hadn't had many of those in the past couple years, so it seemed as if things were getting better for once.

Alex would cast a glance every now and then at Bobby when she knew he wasn't looking, just for the sake of looking at him. At her Bobby. It was a done deal and she felt all warm and fuzzy inside at the thought.

Alex recalls into the earlier years in their partnership when Bobby seemed so much happier, spunkier. In the earliest of years together, Bobby had very little gray hair, just around his temples mainly. His suits were always pressed and she hardly ever saw him wear jeans like he does now…not that she minded. He was always well-kept though and shaved everyday and, god, how enthusiastic he was about his work. It drove her mad at times in the early mornings how awake and ready he was to work. Now, it seemed as if those times had faded; almost like the Robert Goren now was a complete opposite of the younger Bobby she used to know. Sure, he was still into his work. It's his life, but it's just not the same. She now holds onto the hope that as time goes on, it will be the same once more. That he'll finally realize that she's there with him and that she's not going anywhere. Ever. Alex believes that that information alone will help him.

She won't try and kid herself though; this job is killer on a detectives mind alone. After a difficult case, usually the ones hitting closest to home, she can tell when Bobby is so far buried inside the perpetrators head that she doesn't bother to talk to him except for the normal 'goodnights' and 'see you tomorrows.' She gave up a long time ago asking if he were 'ok.' He never answered truthfully anyways. After the cases, the ones that were too close to home for their likings, during those nights, Alex would stay up into the wee hours trying to figure out how he got back out of their heads. She often wondered if he ever actually did. It's a scary thought and a scary world, and she knows, she just fucking knows that over the years, it has taken a toll on him. She can tell just by looking at him; she believes she is the only one who truly can. She definitely won't deny that it hasn't on her either.

By the time they'd finished eating and the dishes done, it was a little after 1:00PM. They debated for a little while on what to do. Bobby wanted to go out and do something, though he had no idea what that something was, but Alex was still aware of his healing and was more on the cautious side. She didn't want him to push himself too much, to exert or hurt himself any further, so after a continuous debate they decided to curl up on the couch a watch a movie.

After another ten minutes of debating, they decided on watching Sleepless in Seattle, which was playing on TV. To Alex's surprise, he didn't complain about the choice of movie.

Bobby made it about forty-five minutes into the movie before he started to doze off. Before he fell off the couch, Alex wrapped her arm around his shoulders and guided him onto her as best as she could. His head rested limply on her shoulders and she purposely sagged down a bit farther into the couch to make him more comfortable. He sighed in contentment and she turned back to the movie.

As the ending credits rolled by, Bobby became vaguely aware of practically lying on top of Alex and quickly pushed himself up.

"Sorry." He mumbled and winced at the positioning he was in.

"It's ok, you were keeping me warm." She smirked and tried her best to ignore his discomfort. She didn't want to baby him because she knew that he didn't want her to. "Besides you smell really good."

He blinked. How random. "Umm, thanks, I think?" He said and rubbed at his eyes.

She had to laugh. He looks adorable when he first wakes up.

"You think?"

He paused. "Well, do I normally not smell good?"

"What? No. You always smell good." She said and kissed him softly on the lips. "You just smell extra good right now." She murmured against his lips and was about to deepen the kiss when she all of a sudden pulled away and looked at him.

"What?" He asked confused.

"You didn't take a shower, did you, Goren?" She looked a little mad…or possibly just confused. "You know what the doctor said about—" She was stopped dead in her tracks when Bobby placed a large paw over her mouth to shut her up.

"I know what the doctor said, Eames, but he did say that I could have a sponge bath." He shrugged and removed his hand from her mouth before she bit it. "So I had one earlier this morning when I couldn't sleep."

"Oh. Sorry." She mumbled embarrassed.

"No need to apologize." He smirked. "I guess your sniffer isn't as good as it used to be." He laughed.

"Wipe that smug look off your face, Bobby." She said and crossed her arms across her chest.

"Yes, ma'am."

She rolled her eyes and then got up and stretched.

"Well, its now 4:30PM. What would you like to do?"

He yawned. "I'm a little tired."

"Then go to bed." She stated before he could come up with some lame excuse not to. "It's good for you." And this time, she didn't flinch when she told him it was good for him. Bobby noticed this of course and physically relaxed. He was too damn relieved to say anything.

He quickly nodded, obeying what she said, and stood up. "What are you going to do?"

"Well, since you already had your shower—"

"Sponge bath." He corrected her.

"Sorry, sponge bath, I think I'll take one too." She saw him start to speak, but she was on top of her game. She had to be with Bobby. "No, not a sponge bath, a real shower." And she beamed with satisfaction, beating him to it, and then watching him as he pouted.

"Hmph." He sulked. She laughed.

After Alex walked into the bathroom and shut the door, Bobby quickly stripped down until he was only wearing his favorite Juicy Couture print boxers he had gotten from Nordstrom's. After debating for a few minutes, looking from the bathroom door back to his dresser, he ultimately decided to put on a clean white shirt as well.

I'm big enough with all my clothes on. God, what would she think of me without them? At least they hide some...'stuff.' He then shook and then halted in place as he remembered. You dumbass, she's already seen me without a shirt on many times.

"Oh perfect." He mumbled under his breath as he crawled underneath the covers.

A/N: So, just to refresh your memory…that quote about the diamonds, it was an actual conversation they had. Episode: "One." I realize that is was the first episode…ever, but I just kind of like to assume that they were partners for sometime before (Smiles).

As far as the movies concerned, I just couldn't think of a movie that they'd watch…so I just picked a random one…I guess like everyone else does?! Have we ever heard Bobby mention any movies he likes? (Laughs at documentaries). If anyone would like to give me a hint or something, I'd be more than happy to change it. LOL

-Snyder-